BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. The climate
crisis represents a global health crisis, with rising temperatures,
air pollution and extreme weather events creating growing risks for
public health, Head of the Health Policy Department at Azerbaijan’s
Ministry of Health Ramig Guliyev said, Trend's correspondent reports from the
event.


He made the remark speaking during Baku Climate Action Week. “We
know that it leads to extreme weather events and the spread of
diseases. Climate-related health risks are driven by rising
temperatures, increased air pollution, especially in urban areas,
extreme weather events, as well as changes in precipitation
patterns that result in both floods and water shortages,” Guliyev
said.


He noted that Azerbaijan is also experiencing the impacts of
global climate change. “That is why global and regional
cooperation, as well as action at the national level, are of vital
importance,” he said.


According to Guliyev, Azerbaijan’s healthcare sector is facing
increasing climate-related and disaster-related risks caused by
rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves. “The most relevant
climate-related health risks include morbidity and mortality, the
worsening of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, water- and
food-borne illnesses, as well as vector-borne and zoonotic
diseases,” he said.


Guliyev added that Azerbaijan is implementing internationally
recognized mechanisms and response plans to address the impact of
climate change on public health.


The third day of the Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026)
is underway.







The program of the third day will focus on issues such as the
transition from climate commitments to concrete action, climate
financing, youth participation in climate processes, artificial
intelligence and climate technologies, energy efficiency, methane
emissions reduction, water resources management, and cultural
heritage protection.


Representatives of governments and international organizations,
experts, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil
society from various countries are attending the events.


Now in its third year, Baku Climate Action Week is being held in
parallel with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) Climate Week for the first time this year. The Fourth
Climate Week and Baku Climate Action Week will feature a series of
sessions, panel discussions and other events on climate change,
climate finance, sustainable development and accelerating climate
action.


BCAW 2026 will continue until September 11.